McLaughlin takes record-breaking Bathurst pole

Championship leader Scott McLaughlin set the fastest Supercar lap of Mt Panorama ever on his way to securing pole for tomorrow's Bathurst 1000.

The Shell V-Power driver, who'd claimed provisional pole on Friday, was the last driver to make a run in the Top 10 Shootout. He was quickest through the first sector but then ran wide through McPhillamy Park as he crossed the top of the mountain. Despite the error, he was even further ahead of the benchmark time set by David Reynolds at the end of sector two.

A strong final sector sealed the first Supercar lap to break the 2m04s mark, with McLaughlin clocking 2m03.8312s. It marks the 18th consecutive time that he will start from the front row this year.

"I dreamed of doing this since I was a kid," said McLaughlin, who will share the No.17 Ford with Alex Premat.

"It's the best day of my life, and I still can't quite believe it. I knew we could do that, and it's a massive credit to the team that they've given me a car capable of it. We've still got plenty of work ahead of us tomorrow, but what an incredible day. I'll remember this for the rest of my life."

McLaughlin's time was a 0.4 better than Reynolds, who conjured a 2m04.27. 2013 race winner Mark Winterbottom will start from third, his time a further 0.2s down.